Jan – Dec 2024 – 1742 dogs killed (avg 5 a day) – 3552 cats killed (avg 10 a day)
It’s statistics time again. I’ve been waiting to post them hoping that I would get some answers from the Sheriff’s office attorney as to some of the odd categories and why the numbers don’t calculate correctly, but alas, he replied “The Public Records Act does not obligate us to answer any questions”. So I assume then that they are OK with me posting their bogus categories and fuzzy math. So here you are:
The formula should be:
Beginning in Shelter numbers plus Intake, minus outcome = Ending in Shelter numbers.
The first line across from “ending in shelter numbers” is their calculation as sent to me. The yellow highlighted line is what the ending numbers should be. How did they end up with 5 additional dogs?? and 46 less cats? If it was off 1-5 I would give them a pass since 14,588 animals taken in is a lot to keep track of. But 46 cats are quite a number to misplace and it makes you wonder what else is erroneous, incorrect, juggled, or fudged?
A few other questions that they refused to elaborate on and I gave them a few chances:
Under Intake:
Transferred category: who is transferring in animals to Polk Animal Control? 718 animals in fact.
Surgery: Are they taking animals in for Surgery? They can’t spay and neuter their adoptable animals on their own. What animals are coming in for surgery? And are they admitted afterward?
Under Intake and Outcome:
Disposal Requested: This number, if it means animals brought in for disposal (deceased animals), then the Intake and the Outcome numbers should be the same. No explanation given.
Under Outcome:
Escaped: 546 lucky cats escaped. Is anyone going over handling and cleaning protocols? In most shelters if you lost 546 animals, you would be looking for a job about 543 animals ago.
Released: Released where? To whom? Aren’t all animals released from Animal Control either adopted, dead or returned to owner?
Transferred: This category should be used for any animal transferred to another adoption group. Obviously, we know that rescue pulls go under the Adoption category to falsely inflate the Adoption numbers. So who are these few stragglers under Transferred? Transferred where?
I usually try to give shelters the benefit of the doubt when handling so many animals, with limited staff and funding. Most I have worked with are concerned, interested, and explanatory when a tax-paying citizen brings discrepancies to their attention. After all, we all make mistakes. But when receiving a curt, dismissive one-line answer to a request for further explanation and a blatant disregard for any iota of competency or professionalism, then there is no doubt. The math ain’t mathing.
PS: I have also not received my requested P/L for Animal Control for 2024 to see where the money is being spent. It’s been 4 months since my initial request. HMMMMMM.
Contact your commissioners. Demand transparency at your tax-funded shelter. https://www.polk-county.net/…/board-of-county…/